NDIS Guide
NDIS consumables are everyday disability-related products your plan can fund — things like continence aids, wound dressings, and modified eating utensils. If you are unsure what counts as a consumable, what the NDIS will not cover, or how to actually buy these items through your plan, this guide lays it out plainly. For background on how your plan budget works overall, see our guide to understanding the NDIS.
Quick answer
- Consumables are everyday disability-related products that get used up — continence aids, wound dressings, modified eating utensils, tube-feeding supplies.
- Funded under your Core Supports budget (category 03). Each item must cost under $1,500.
- Not covered: general toiletries, prescription medications, or regular groceries.
- How you buy them depends on your plan type — agency-managed, plan-managed, or self-managed.
What are NDIS consumables?
Consumables is the name the NDIS gives to low-cost, disability-related products that run out and need replacing regularly. They are the ongoing supply side of your plan — not the big equipment purchases, but the everyday items your disability makes necessary.
They sit inside your Core Supports budget under support category 03. Your plan will show a funding amount set aside for consumables based on the needs you described during your planning meeting with the NDIA.
For a product to qualify, it must meet the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria: it must relate directly to your disability, provide genuine benefit, represent value for money, and not already be funded by another government programme such as Medicare.
What everyday items does the NDIS fund as consumables?
The range is broader than most people expect. The NDIS groups funded consumables into several categories based on the type of need they address.
01
Continence aids
Adult briefs, pads, catheters, bed protectors, and drainage bags for people whose disability affects bladder or bowel control.
02
Wound care products
Dressings, bandages, adhesive tape, antiseptic creams, and gauze where wound management is a direct result of a disability or related condition.
03
Nutrition and tube-feeding supplies
Enteral feeding bags, tubing, syringes, and formula for participants who require tube feeding because of a disability.
04
Modified eating and drinking aids
Adapted utensils, non-slip mats, weighted cutlery, and specialised cups or straws for people with fine motor or swallowing difficulties.
Low-cost assistive technology items that cost under $1,500 can also be claimed as consumables. Examples include non-slip bath mats designed for disability use, low-vision magnifiers, and hearing-related accessories. The NDIS publishes a full list of consumable supports on NDIS.gov.au.
Consumables vs assistive technology: where the line is
The distinction matters because the purchasing and approval process is different for each.
Consumables are items that get used up and replaced — typically low-cost and purchased regularly. They require no assessment report and no prior NDIA approval. You simply purchase and claim.
Assistive technology (AT) covers durable equipment: wheelchairs, communication devices, home modifications. AT items over $1,500 require a quote and, for higher-cost items, a supporting report from an allied health professional before the NDIA approves the spend.
The grey zone is low-cost AT — items under $1,500 that are assistive devices rather than disposable products. These can often be claimed under the consumables support category without a formal AT assessment, which makes purchasing simpler. If you are unsure whether an item counts as low-cost AT or a standard consumable, your plan manager or support coordinator can check the NDIS support catalogue.
What the NDIS will not fund as consumables
The NDIS does not fund products that everyone needs regardless of disability. If an item is part of ordinary daily living costs, it falls outside your plan — even if having a disability makes using it harder.
- General toiletries — soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and similar hygiene products
- Prescription medications — these are funded through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) via Medicare
- Regular food and groceries — including supplements not specifically prescribed for a disability-related condition
- Gym memberships and fitness subscriptions — unless a specific therapeutic exercise programme is written into your plan as a funded support
- Items not related to your disability — the NDIS will not fund products you would need regardless of whether you had a disability
How to claim NDIS consumables depending on your plan type
The process differs based on how your plan is managed. There are three paths.
Agency-managed
Buy from NDIS-registered providers only
If the NDIA manages your plan directly, you must purchase consumables from providers registered with the NDIS. The registered provider invoices the NDIA directly — you do not handle the payment. Your choice of supplier is limited to those on the NDIS register.
Plan-managed
Use registered or unregistered providers
With a registered NDIS plan manager handling your plan, you can buy consumables from any supplier — registered or not. You receive the product, forward the invoice to your plan manager, and they pay the provider from your Core Supports budget. This opens up regular pharmacies, chemist chains, and online stores that are not NDIS-registered.
Self-managed
Pay upfront and claim reimbursement
Self-managed participants can buy from any provider, pay out of pocket, then log into the myNDIS portal to claim reimbursement. You must keep receipts and records in case of an audit. The flexibility is greatest, but so is the administrative effort.
How plan management makes consumables easier to manage
Agency-managed participants face a common problem: the most convenient local suppliers — chemist chains, online pharmacies, big-box stores — are often not NDIS-registered. That means going out of your way to find a registered supplier, sometimes at higher cost.
Plan management removes that restriction. Because your plan manager can pay any supplier’s invoice, you shop where it suits you. A continence product from a local chemist, wound dressings from an online supplier, or modified utensils from a specialist retailer — all of these are payable without extra paperwork on your part.
Your plan manager also tracks your consumables spending against your Core Supports budget, so you can see how much funding remains before your plan renewal. If you are approaching your limit sooner than expected, they can flag it early so you can contact the NDIA about a plan review. Explore our independent comparison of NDIS plan managers to find one that suits your needs.
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Find my plan manager — submit a free inquiryFrequently Asked Questions About NDIS Consumables
Can I buy nappies or continence products with NDIS consumables funding?
Standard nappies for young children are not funded — they are an ordinary childhood cost that every parent faces. However, continence aids for a person whose disability directly causes incontinence are typically funded under the consumables category, subject to the NDIS reasonable and necessary assessment. This includes adult briefs, pads, catheters, and drainage accessories.
Do NDIS consumables come out of my Core Supports budget?
Yes. Consumables are funded under the Core Supports budget (support category 03). Your plan will specify a dollar amount allocated to consumables. If the funding runs short before your plan period ends, contact the NDIA to discuss a plan review or budget reallocation.
Is there a price limit on a single consumable item?
Individual items that cost under $1,500 can generally be claimed as consumables or low-cost assistive technology without a formal assessment. Items over $1,500 fall into the Assistive Technology category and require a quote and, for higher-value items, a supporting report from an allied health professional before approval.
Can I buy consumables from any shop, or only NDIS-registered providers?
This depends on how your plan is managed. Agency-managed participants must use NDIS-registered suppliers. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can buy from any provider — registered or not — which includes regular pharmacies and online stores. See what is NDIS plan management for a full explanation of the difference.
What happens if I run out of consumables funding before my plan ends?
Contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to request an unscheduled plan review. Bring documentation showing your usage and why your current allocation is insufficient. In some cases, the NDIA can reallocate funds from another Core Supports line or increase the consumables budget at review. Your plan manager can help you prepare this documentation.
Can my plan manager help me track consumables spending?
Yes — tracking spending is one of a plan manager’s core functions. They maintain a live view of your Core Supports budget, record every invoice they pay on your behalf, and can send you regular statements. If your consumables funding is running low, a good plan manager will alert you before it becomes a problem. Read our guide on NDIS budget categories explained to understand how funds are organised across your plan.